What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientC15-19 Alkane
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCetearyl Olivate
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientShea Butter Ethyl Esters
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone, C15-19 Alkane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Xanthan Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Cetearyl Olivate, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylyl Glycol, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauryl Glucoside, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingIsopentyldiol
HumectantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingZinc PCA
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-11
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentEthoxydiglycol
HumectantTotarol
AntioxidantLavandula Hybrida Oil
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Isopentyldiol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Zinc PCA, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharide Isomerate, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Cetearyl Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Polysilicone-11, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Maltodextrin, Ethoxydiglycol, Totarol, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
Manufacturers use the name Olivem 1000. This ingredient has been found to preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria. This ingredient is grouped with Sorbitan Olivate under the name Olivem 1000.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.
Due to its olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water